North Korea has again condemned U.S. sanctions imposed on the country following a cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment and on Wednesday demanded the restrictions be lifted.
"The U.S. took part in wars of aggression … But it has never experienced a hail of bullets and shells on its own territory," North Korea’s National Defense Commission said in a warning through state-run media. "The U.S. should roll back its hostile policy towards the DPRK of its own accord if it does not want to suffer a war disaster."
The United States on Friday slapped sanctions on 10 individuals and three entities, including North Korea’s primary intelligence organization and its arms dealer, over the country’s alleged role in a cyberattack that threatened to derail Sony’s release of "The Interview" and made public emails that embarrassed top-level executives.
North Korea has denied it carried out the cyberattack and said the sanctions were imposed “under absurd pretexts and conditions." The FBI says it has evidence the hack attack was carried out by the North Korean government. FBI Director James Comey said on Wednesday that, "here is not much in this life that I have confidence about, but I have very high confidence in this attribution."
Meanwhile, North Koreans nationwide will celebrate the birthday of "Supreme Leader" Kim Jong Un on Thursday. He is believed to be turning 32.
IN-DEPTH
- Sony Hackers Used North Korean IPs, FBI Says
- Sony Hack Most Serious Cyberattack Yet on U.S. Interests: Spy Chief
- Obama OKs New North Korea Sanctions Over Hack Attack on Sony
